Animal Collective

Animal Collective are a New York City-based group of experimental musicians from Baltimore, Maryland. Animal Collective consists of Avey Tare (also known as David Portner), Panda Bear (also known as Noah Lennox), Deakin (also known as Josh Dibb), and Geologist (also known as Brian Weitz). Records released under the name Animal Collective may include contributions from any or all of these members, but the lineup is not uniform. The band members met in school and started recording together in various forms of collaboration from a young age. Although the band is often classified as psych folk or noise rock, it is hard to define the Animal Collective sound as they often experiment with diverse styles and ideas. The group also runs the record label Paw Tracks on which they have released their own material as well as material by artists such as Ariel Pink and The Peppermints.

Animal Collective grew out of the roots of childhood friendships in Baltimore County. Panda Bear and Deakin had met in the second grade and became good friends. Panda went away to Pennsylvania for high school, while Deakin attended The Park School of Baltimore where Avey Tare and recent Philadelph...